Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
His father sighed. “I just hate to think of you being lonely.”
Shane had lucked out with his dad. He’d been young when Shane was born—only eighteen. He’d taken on the responsibility and never given up on him, not even when Shane’s mother had left them. Now, at a still young and robust forty-nine, he’d become Shane’s best friend. Not once had he ever had an issue with Shane’s sexuality either. In fact, there were times Shane thought his father might swing both ways. He’d caught him eyeing both sexes in the past. “Like you are? When’s the last time you went on a date?”
“That’s different.”
That had always been his dad’s pat answer to anything about himself. Shane’s mother had done a number on him, the bitch.
Million-dollar homes slid past the window of Shane’s car. Neatly manicured lawns accented by perfectly sculpted hedges stretched as far as the eye could see. But there were no kids playing on those perfect lawns. No bikes in the driveway. Definitely a different world from where he grew up. “So, Dad, about your friend. Can you give me her number? It has to do with a case.”
“I’ll text it since I can tell you’re driving.”
Amused, Shane listened while his dad muttered and looked up the number. At thirty-one, you’d think his father would stop with the protective behavior but he didn’t. And he never would either. He had the overbearing, caretaker personality down pat and Shane knew he was number one in Abe’s responsibility category.
Damn, he loved his dad. “Hey, you want to meet up for beers and a game this weekend? I think OSU is playing Michigan.”
“Sure! You gonna make those buffalo wings again?”
“Aren’t you supposed to have issues with acid reflux at your age?” he teased.
“Stomach’s lined with iron. It’s a Stephens trait and you know it.”
True. Shane could eat all the spicy food he wanted and not ever have issues. “I’ll make the buffalo wings, Dad. And maybe I’ll have a friend over as well.” What the fuck? That had just slipped out. He held his breath when his dad whooped loudly.
“Bout time!”
“He’s just a friend. We’re working a case, so he’ll probably be around.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Shane rolled his eyes as he set the time and hung up. He had no idea why he’d told his dad Quinn would be there, but it was too late to take it back now.
Chapter Nine
Quinn followed Shane down the hall of his building, his stomach in knots because they were deliberately headed to Shane’s condo for sex. There was no subterfuge here.
Despite the confidence he’d tried hard to inject in his speech to Shane, nerves had a hold of him like he was about to take on the final boss in Zelda and he had only one health potion left. Only this was so much worse than a game. This is reality. His anticipation had grown so high, he feared being disappointed again. Of getting into full-on sex with Shane and finding it wasn’t any better than with the others.
But he couldn’t not try. Especially after this morning. In Shane’s mouth. That could very well be his favorite place his cock had ever been. And he wanted his mouth on Shane in return. Badly. Wanted to feel the slide of his dick deep into his throat.
It was all he could do not to shake as they walked into Shane’s condo in Over the Rhine.
But he was momentarily sidetracked when he stepped inside and whistled with pure pleasure. Shane’s place was a cool mix of cozy, warm, and modern. A narrow set of stairs rose to his left and continued over the top of the kitchen—there were no risers, only wooden treads, so he could see the ceiling when he walked underneath them. A dark picnic-style table with benches centered the kitchen—which had most of the small cooking area behind a breakfast bar and then a subzero refrigerator across the kitchen built into a beautiful cabinet. It was a strange layout, but it somehow worked here, giving the place a quirky, unique feel. A black-and-white plaid rug on the wood floors under the table matched the black of the countertops. The far wall was red brick like so many of the renovated homes in the area.
“This is my small corner of the city. It’s just a one bedroom, one bath, but it has a few amenities that make it one of the best investments I’ve made.” Shane walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of bottles of water and handed one to Quinn.
“This is an investment? It looks like a home. Feels like a home.”
Shane’s shrug was sheepish. “I’ve turned it into one. I originally bought it to renovate and flip, but I love the place, so I’m still here.”
“I can see why. Is it cool if I just walk through? I’m hoping to find a place like this one someday.”